Wichita eagle., 1887-07-05
BUYING A CUYP.

| gazing lQtentlv at a cdctIe piece Oh view
with several other pictures OF various dl-
mensions exposed in readiness for the
next days sale in fashionable auction
| room.
Shouldn't wonder if got it cheap" he
went On, referring to the catalogue he
| held in his hand ''Either from ignorance
OF want of Judgment, this gem OF paint
| ing is described here as attributed to
Cuyp-quite enough to hinder any one
| from bidding unless he happens to know
| better. Attributed indeed, Ishould think
| SO, and rightly. A more undoubted speci-
men of the master never hung on the
wall"
| After thus decidedly expressing his
| opinion and bestowing farewell glance
on the object of his admiration, the speaker
| put his spectacles and the catalogue into
| his pocket, and waddling out of the room
| hailed passing hanson, which speedily
| conveyed him to his home in Thurloe
square.
Now, if there was one thing on which
Mr.. Palecourt prided himself more than
another, it was his knowledge of art; al
| though where he could have picked it up
| was puzzle not SO easy to solve.
He was stout little man Of no patri-
clan extraction, who, having realized a
handsome fortune in business, had retired
into private life at the age of 50, and taken
up his abode, as he was wont to express
it, ''within a stones throw of the South
kensington museum; of which, as well as
of every other artistic exhibition in Lon
don, he became an assiduous frequenter.
Being afflicted moreover, with the prevail
ent collecting mania, he very soon con-
verted the fairly spacious house occupied
by him into a repository for all sorts Of
miscellaneous curiosities, more or less
apocryphal, the fruits Of many an explor-
ing ramble through the highways and by
ways of the metropolis.
His special hobby was the formation Of
picture gallery, and curious, indeed,
We're the examples of different schools un-
earthed, 10 one but himself knew where,
but vouched for by their owners as origin
ais of unimpeachable authenticity. He
had now an opportunity, which he resolved
not to miss, Of adding to his collection @
hitherto unrepresented name, and before
reaching Hyde park corner had already
made up his mind in which room he would
hang up his acquisition when he got it.
"Women have a good eye for effect, - he
said. TN talk it over with Sophy, but
I'm pretty sure that she will be of my
opinion"
Mrs Palecourt, one of the few ladies
nowadays who prefer adopting their hus-
bands decision to the trouble of thinking
for themselves, having, as was antici-
pated, placidiy signified her approval, a
vacant space on the dining room wall was
agreed upon as a fitting place of honor
for the coming masterpiece: and its in
stallation thereon regarded as foregone
conclusion.
Slips, however, between the cup and the
lip will sometimes occur, and the next
mornings post brought with it sum-
mons which materially affected Master
Septimus' plans It was from an old
friend, on the point Of embarking the
same evening from Portsmouth, who de-
sired to consult him on certain business
matters before leaving England.
'TThere's no help for it, said Mr. Pale
court, after reading the letter aloud for
his wife's benefit. II must GO: so there's
an end of it. If he could only have waited
until tomorrow.
Very provoking" chimed in Sophy.
''We must hope for better luck another
time
''Not likely" doubtfully replied her
fege lord. ''Cuyps don't turn up every
day. However, 1 may as well start at
once; and don't wait dinner for me, for
may not be back till late"
Stopping at the nearest stationers for a
bradshaw" on his way to Victoria, and
hastily consulting the instructive manual,
Mr.. Palecourt suddenly discovered, to his
inexpressible delight, that he had half an
hour to spare before the departure of the
train.
''By ,Jove,'' he muttered, II never
thought of that l have plenty of time to
leave commission with the auctioneer,
and that viii do quite as well as if I were
there myself"
A word to ''cabby," accompanied by a
suggestive hint of possible largesse, soon
brought him TO his destination: and he
was at once ushered into the auctioneer's
private room, where he briefly explained
TO that functionary the object of his visit.
Il understand said the latter ''Num-
ber eighty-six in the catalogue; a land
scape with cattle and figures, attributed
to Cuyp. Certainly; my clerk shall bid
for you. Mr.
"Palecourt, No. 134 Thurloe square. "
Very good. How far do you intend
to eo9'
why said Septimus, who had not
considered that point, II should think
fifty pounds would be ample"
Better leave a margin and say hun
drod. You wouldn't like TO miss it, of
course?'
We'll, no, but hundred is rather
fancy price. However, you may put it
down at that, though it isn't likely to
fetch half as much
Il should be very much surprised if it
did, said the auctioneer, and the inter-
view closed. Mr.. Palecourt regaining his
hanson and succeeded in catching the
train for Portsmouth exactly two minutes
before it steamed out Of the station.
Meanwhile his wife was relating to her
brother, who, living close by, generally
dropped in for chat in the course of the
morning. the nischance that had pre-
vented Septimus from attending the
sale.
Mr.. Ferguson, a practical man of COM
mercial rather than artistic tendencies,
shrugged his shoulders. 4 should have
thought he had pictures enough already
he dryly remarked.
We'll, yes, we have good many"
assented Mrs. Palecourt. But he has
set his heart on this one, poor fellow, and
l can't bear TO see him disappointed /
only wish could get it for Kim"
IF you care so much about It, - said her
brother, nothing is easier. III manage
it for you